Tasha's Research Task of 'Gone Girl'

Tasha's Research Task

Analysis of Gone Girl

In this essay I will be analysing the opening sequence of this thriller film based on the evidence I have collected myself.

The start of the opening sequence for Gone Girl is introduced when a voice over from one of the characters is being spoken, this is then embedded with the opening credits appearing on the screen. Like some of the other films I have analysed, the format of the opening credits is in the colour scheme of black and white. The text is a very bright and vibrant white whilst the background is a dark black, these two colours could be a convention of the thriller genre as they seem to be quite common in the thriller openings I have analysed.

After a while the opening credits dissolve form the screen and a close up is presented, the composition of this close up is a female character laying down on someone. Whilst this close up is on screen you don't see the females face so the spectators are therefore unaware of her identity. The voice over continues to narrate whilst a males hand is stroking the females hair; making the spectator realise that the person narrating is the females husband. The affectionate action he is using towards her is contradicting what the husband is saying in the voice over; "When I think of my wife I always think of her head. I picture cracking her lovely scull". This type of voice over is off screen and non-diegetic as its obvious the wife cannot hear what he's saying and therefore suggest to spectators that we are hearing his thoughts.

In this opening sequence I think a lot of enigma codes are used to create enigma, as the words the husband is saying are violent and cruel but he is saying them in a calm loving tone. This creates confusion and raises questions within the audience. He then continues to say "unspooling her brains, trying to get answers", the way the narrative has been structured informs the spectators that something has happened prior to this and we our listening to the aftermath of whatever has happened. The fact that his words and actions contradict each other suggest that the voice over is in fact in the present but the close up of the husband stroking the wife's hair is actually a memory. Again, by structuring the narrative this way it makes the spectator's want to find out what has happened.

As the voice over continues to play out, the wife turns around and faces the camera; looking directly into the lens. This then informs spectators that the camera close up is actually a point of view shot from the husbands perspective. This also reveals her identity to the spectators informing them that she is obviously an important character in the film. However, considering the confusing information spectators have been told, it is unclear whether the wife is a protagonist or a antagonist, this is the same with the husband as well.

When analysing the point of view shot in more depth there is also a shallow depth of field shot as the female characters face is in focus but the background is not. This then makes the audience unaware of the location these two characters are in and creates enigma.

Overall, I think that a range of media techniques have been used in the right format to convey meaning to the thriller genre. For instance, the use of dull, dark lighting is an iconic convention of a thriller so this is therefore very effective. I also think the construction of character has been developed very cleverly as the film starts with the aftermath of the disruption causing spectators to want to keep watching to find out more, as to what's happened between these two characters and their relationship in the film. The mood of the film opening is also set appropriately as there is a sense of mystery and wonder about it, causing spectators to want to know why. I think this opening definitely appeals to my target audience as its a modern day thriller and doesn't necessarily convey to the expectations of a thriller in relation to where its set, as most thrillers are set in a remote, industrial area. Whereas, this thriller seems more organised and psychologically thrilling, compared to 'Seven' where it's presented as really chaotic and robust.